Green roofs are an emerging stormwater management tool that have predominantly been analysed for runoff volume reduction and peak flow mitigation. Little research has been completed on evapotranspiration (ET) in green roofs. Sedum... more
Green roofs are an emerging stormwater management tool that have predominantly been analysed for runoff volume reduction and peak flow mitigation. Little research has been completed on evapotranspiration (ET) in green roofs. Sedum mexicanum (Mexican stonecrop) and Disphyma australe (New Zealand iceplant) in a NZ designed, pumice- and zeolite-based substrate were analysed to determine daily ET rates. Water loss, and thus storage recovery of the substrate, was greatest when substrate moisture was near field capacity (in the first 9 days). Transpiration (T) contributed up to 39% of total ET (2.0 mm/day for both species). After the initial rate of rapid water loss, plants conserved water and ET was not significantly different from evaporation (E) from unplanted substrate (0.2 mm/day). The majority of ET occurred when substrate moisture content was between the field capacity (FC) and 1500 kPa tension, in the case of the substrate used 13.8-39.6% w/w. Once water content drops below 1500 kPa tension, transpiration ceases, but limited E continues ( 0.2 mm/day). S. mexicanum had a greater ability to conserve water and thus a greater longevity of life than D. australe under low substrate moisture (drought) conditions. When rehydrated every 7 days to maximise water availability and hence minimise plant stress, S. mexicanum and D. australe demonstrated daily average ET of 2.7 mm/day and 2.5 mm/day, respectively, when mean daily temperature was 20.5oC. When temperature is held relatively constant, the major influences on evapotranspiration are plant stress level (linked to moisture availability) and radiation. Water storage recovery is optimised when rainfall or irrigation enables maximum transpiration rates to be maintained and where roofs receive maximum solar radiation.
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A new method of biodiversity assessment is developed to characterize the biodiversity values of roads across New Zealand. The methodology blends rigorous probability sampling and PNAP sampling methodology with environmental domains... more
A new method of biodiversity assessment is developed to characterize the biodiversity values of roads across New Zealand. The methodology blends rigorous probability sampling and PNAP sampling methodology with environmental domains analyses to characterize the biodiversity attributes of highways. It demonstrates the usefulness of this methodology in allowing regional reporting and integrating biodiversity conservation with road management by applying it to a particular road segment, State Highway 3 from Hamilton to New Plymouth. The data gathered is also used to develop an overall biodiversity enhancement and restoration plan for the studied segment of road. The biodiversity attributes of the road reserve differed markedly between the environmental sectors, and showed a strong effect from the surrounding land cover. Results indicate that the road reserve is both a biodiversity asset and a liability. The road reserve is an asset, in that it provides public lands for conservation that are highly visible to the public, often in habitats that are under-represented in the reserve network, and can provide links between existing reserves. The road reserve may be a liability in that it has reduced biodiversity value in the surrounding forests and can act as corridors for the spread of weeds into agricultural areas or indigenous forests. Effective integration of biodiversity conservation and road management can increase these assets and reduce these liabilities. This can be achieved by changing policy at all levels (Transfund NZ, Transit NZ, other roading authorities), by increasing awareness of the biodiversity value of road reserves, and by providing specific guidelines for the management and protection of roadside biodiversity. (a)
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New Zealand’s Resource Management Act requires avoiding, remedying or mitigating effects of human activities on the environment, including taking action to maintain terrestrial indigenous biodiversity. Here, we suggest that maintaining... more
New Zealand’s Resource Management Act requires avoiding, remedying or mitigating effects of human activities on the environment, including taking action to maintain terrestrial indigenous biodiversity. Here, we suggest that maintaining biodiversity requires halting its current decline, and to achieve that, New Zealand must move away from deeming only significant ecosystems and biota worthy of protection. We identify effects that must be avoided in order to maintain biodiversity, and those to be avoided unless they can be fully and promptly remediated. Effects should be avoided that reduce the extent and quality of most ecosystems and the habitats of indigenous species, including many highly modified ecosystems and habitats. Effects can be remediated only for a few, usually low-diversity and recently-established indigenous ecosystems and habitats, and we suggest a human generation (25 years) should be the maximum time to full remediation. Effects on individuals from some species’ pop...
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Rain gardens are Water Sensitive Design devices that use bioretention to retain, and reduce pollutants in, stormwater runoff. Resilient rain gardens consistently attenuate pollutants, volume, and peak flows from small rain events.... more
Rain gardens are Water Sensitive Design devices that use bioretention to retain, and reduce pollutants in, stormwater runoff. Resilient rain gardens consistently attenuate pollutants, volume, and peak flows from small rain events. Research projects investigated combinations of readily available materials in the Auckland region that have consistent physical and chemical properties suitable for bioretention. The mulch and filter (or fill) media used influence rain garden performance – mulches must not float and must have high permeability. Bioretention media must have permeability low enough to achieve adequate contact time (for effective pollutant removal), but high enough to minimize (untreated) overflow from water quality volume events, and avoid excessive ponding duration. Mulch and media chemistry influences effluent water quality and plant growth. Results of two studies are summarised. The studies guide development of fit-for-purpose rain garden mulches and bioretention media in...
Trois toitures végétalisées extensives (TVE) ont fait l’objet d’un suivi sur des périodes de 8 mois à environ 1 an afin de réaliser un bilan hydrique. Pour chaque TVE, 8 évènements pluvieux ont été échantillonnés pour évaluer la qualité... more
Trois toitures végétalisées extensives (TVE) ont fait l’objet d’un suivi sur des périodes de 8 mois à environ 1 an afin de réaliser un bilan hydrique. Pour chaque TVE, 8 évènements pluvieux ont été échantillonnés pour évaluer la qualité de l’eau et la comparer à des données de toitures conventionnelles situées au même endroit. L’analyse de chaque évènement pluvieux a mis en évidence que les TVE, conçues avec un substrat de 100-150 mm d’épaisseur pour maximiser le stockage de l’eau, ont retenu 56 à 72 % du volume de ruissellement. Les eaux de ruissellement provenant des toitures végétalisées et conventionnelles ne contenaient pas de teneurs élevées en matière en suspension (MES) ou nitrite + nitrate (NOx). Alors que cuivre et zinc proviennent tous deux des matériaux de la toiture, le cuivre peut également provenir des substrats de TVE. L’orthophosphate et l’azote Kjeldhal sont les principaux nutriments rejetés à des concentrations élevées par les TVE. En cas d’installation dans des b...
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An extensive living roof is constructed with load bearing structures with a deep layer of soil media that supports a range of plants. Living roofs have environmental benefits, particularly in an urban setting, such as slowing water runoff... more
An extensive living roof is constructed with load bearing structures with a deep layer of soil media that supports a range of plants. Living roofs have environmental benefits, particularly in an urban setting, such as slowing water runoff and promoting evapotranspiration. Auckland Botanic Gardens (ABG) has been trialling different native and exotic plant species on living roofs to identify top performing plants for these unique growing conditions. The living roofs at ABG were constructed and planted in 2010, so after 10 years of observations, we are able to provide plant lists of what has worked well, challenges with the type of roofs we have, and the adventive species observed.
Research Interests: Geography and Green Roof
The Landcare Research sustainable commercial building in Auckland, New Zealand, was designed to have a small demand for mains water and minimal discharge of stormwater and sewage, to reduce its impact on natural waters. This was a... more
The Landcare Research sustainable commercial building in Auckland, New Zealand, was designed to have a small demand for mains water and minimal discharge of stormwater and sewage, to reduce its impact on natural waters. This was a challenge given that the core business operations of Landcare Research, such as research laboratories and experimental glasshouses, require a large volume of water. Minimising the use of mains water was achieved by harvesting and reusing stormwater as well as reducing demand, primarily by using composting toilets. In line with the principles of sustainability, the composting toilets produced a useable product from a waste and reduced untreated discharge from the building. Harvesting the stormwater from the roof reduced the impact of runoff from the building. The other key discharge was stormwater running off a carpark. The carpark forms part of a stormwater treatment train including a bioretention strip and raingarden which reduced the total volume and pea...
An extensive living roof is constructed with load bearing structures with a deep layer of soil media that supports a range of plants. Living roofs have environmental benefits, particularly in an urban setting, such as slowing water runoff... more
An extensive living roof is constructed with load bearing structures with a deep layer of soil media that supports a range of plants. Living roofs have environmental benefits, particularly in an urban setting, such as slowing water runoff and promoting evapotranspiration. Auckland Botanic Gardens (ABG) has been trialling different native and exotic plant species on living roofs to identify top performing plants for these unique growing conditions. The living roofs at ABG were constructed and planted in 2010, so after 10 years of observations, we are able to provide plant lists of what has worked well, challenges with the type of roofs we have, and the adventive species observed.
Research Interests: Geography and Green Roof
A Induced Hyperaccumulation: Metal Movement and Problems Chris Anderson, Annabelle Deram, Daniel Petit, Robert Brooks, Robert (Bob) Stewart, and Robyn Simcock ABSTRACT Induced hyperaccumulation of lead was studied in field and pot trials... more
A Induced Hyperaccumulation: Metal Movement and Problems Chris Anderson, Annabelle Deram, Daniel Petit, Robert Brooks, Robert (Bob) Stewart, and Robyn Simcock ABSTRACT Induced hyperaccumulation of lead was studied in field and pot trials in northern France (over ...
Research Interests: Trace Elements and CRC
Although density-specific stiffness, E/rho, (where E is Young's modulus and rho is wood density) is often assumed constant by the elastic similarity model, and in determination of critical buckling height (H(crit)), few studies have... more
Although density-specific stiffness, E/rho, (where E is Young's modulus and rho is wood density) is often assumed constant by the elastic similarity model, and in determination of critical buckling height (H(crit)), few studies have tested this assumption within species. Here this assumption is tested for Pinus radiata growing across an environmental gradient, and theory is combined with data to develop a model of Young's modulus. Analyses use an extensive series of environmental plots covering the range of climatic and edaphic conditions over which P. radiata is grown in New Zealand. Reduced major axis regression was used to determine scaling exponents between log-log plots of H(crit) vs. groundline diameter (D), and E/rho vs. D. Path analysis was used to identify significant direct and indirect (through stem slenderness) edaphic and climatic influences on E. Density-specific stiffness exhibited 3-fold variation. As E/rho scaled positively with D, the exponent of 0.95 betwe...
Research Interests: Water, Plant Biology, Biology, Ecology, Medicine, and 5 moreNew Zealand, Pinus, Ecosystem, Oxford university, and Annals
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The Landcare Research sustainable commercial building in Auckland, New Zealand, was designed to have a small demand for mains water and minimal discharge of stormwater and sewage, to reduce its impact on natural waters. This was a... more
The Landcare Research sustainable commercial building in Auckland, New Zealand, was designed to have a small demand for mains water and minimal discharge of stormwater and sewage, to reduce its impact on natural waters. This was a challenge given that the core business operations of Landcare Research, such as research laboratories and experimental glasshouses, require a large volume of water. Minimising the use of mains water was achieved by harvesting and reusing stormwater as well as reducing demand, primarily by using composting toilets. In line with the principles of sustainability, the composting toilets produced a useable product from a waste and reduced untreated discharge from the building. Harvesting the stormwater from the roof reduced the impact of runoff from the building. The other key discharge was stormwater running off a carpark. The carpark forms part of a stormwater treatment train including a bioretention strip and raingarden which reduced the total volume and pea...
Research Interests: Environmental Science, Forestry, Exotic Species, Forest Ecology, Biological Sciences, and 15 morePhosphorus, Growth, Environmental Sciences, Absorptive Capacity, Factorial Design, New Zealand, Forests, Relation, Soil Compaction, Soil Classification, Chemical Properties, Indexation, Forest Products, Site Quality, and Pinus radiata
The objectives of this study were to determine the influence of site, fertilisation and age on fibre length and develop predictive models of fibre length from a comprehensive set of climatic, edaphic and stand variables. Data were... more
The objectives of this study were to determine the influence of site, fertilisation and age on fibre length and develop predictive models of fibre length from a comprehensive set of climatic, edaphic and stand variables. Data were collected from a nationwide set of 22 site quality plots where Pinus radiata D. Don was established at high stand densities (40000stemsha−1) and
Research Interests: Mathematics, Modeling, Forest Ecology And Management, Climate, Forest Ecology, and 15 moreBiological Sciences, Fiber, Phosphorus, Environmental Sciences, New Zealand, Path Analysis, Multiple Regression, Prediction Model, Environmental Gradient, Air Temperature, Indexation, Elsevier, Environment, Pinus radiata, and Multiple regression Model
Research Interests: Forest Ecology And Management, Biology, Biological Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Plant, and 14 moreNew Zealand, Soils, Sol, Nutrient, Availability, Crop Rotation, Soil Properties, Soil Nutrients, Forest Products, Forest Growth, P/BV Ratio, Pinus radiata, Nutrient Concentration, and total acidity
Data taken from 261 4-year-old trees growing within a nationwide set of site quality plots where Pinus radiata D. Don and Cupressus lusitanica Mill. were established at high stand densities (40,000stemsha−1) were analysed to (i) determine... more
Data taken from 261 4-year-old trees growing within a nationwide set of site quality plots where Pinus radiata D. Don and Cupressus lusitanica Mill. were established at high stand densities (40,000stemsha−1) were analysed to (i) determine how site, species and fertilisation influence the wood properties basic density and green dynamic modulus of elasticity (MOE) for the stem at the tree
Research Interests: Modeling, Biological Sciences, Elasticity, Phosphorus, Environmental Sciences, and 15 moreSTEM, Buckling, Leaf Area Index, Prediction Model, Environmental Gradient, Air Temperature, Wood properties, Stand Density, Elsevier, Site Quality, Environment, Modulus of Elasticity, Pinus radiata, Basic Density, and Multiple regression Model
SESSION 1.1 NOVATECH 2007 3 Integrated urban water balance of an eco-building Etude du cycle de l?eau ? l??chelle d?un b?timent ?cologique Sam Trowsdale, Robyn Simcock, Jeremy Gabe and Robert Vale Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research Private... more
SESSION 1.1 NOVATECH 2007 3 Integrated urban water balance of an eco-building Etude du cycle de l?eau ? l??chelle d?un b?timent ?cologique Sam Trowsdale, Robyn Simcock, Jeremy Gabe and Robert Vale Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research Private Bag 92 170, ...
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Research Interests: Forest Ecology And Management, Forest Ecology, Biological Sciences, Phosphorus, Site Productivity, and 15 moreEnvironmental Sciences, Factorial Design, New Zealand, Soil Quality, Prediction Model, Forest certification, Environmental Conditions, Soil nitrogen, Stand Density, Soil Properties, Forest Products, Site Quality, Sustainability, Pinus radiata, and Site Effect
Research Interests: Environmental Science, Climate variability, Forest Ecology, Biological Sciences, Site Productivity, and 15 moreEnvironmental Sciences, Factorial Design, New Zealand, Forests, Prediction Model, Forest certification, Environmental Conditions, Primary productivity, Soil Properties, Soil Physical Properties, Forest Products, Elsevier, Site Quality, Pinus radiata, and Site Effect
Three extensive living roofs in Auckland have been monitored over periods of 8 months to ~1 yr for stormwater quantity, while 8 storms were sampled at each location for water quality compared to conventional roofs at the same locations.... more
Three extensive living roofs in Auckland have been monitored over periods of 8 months to ~1 yr for stormwater quantity, while 8 storms were sampled at each location for water quality compared to conventional roofs at the same locations. Individual event analysis measured 56%-72% runoff retention by living roofs with 100-150 mm depth substrates designed to maximize water storage. Neither living nor conventional roof surfaces produced elevated suspended solids (TSS) or nitrate+nitrite (NOx). Copper may be sourced from living roof substrates, while both copper and zinc are sourced from roofing materials. Soluble Reactive Phosphorus (SRP) and Total Kjeldhal Nitrogen (TKN) are the predominant nutrients discharging at elevated concentrations from living roofs. Installing living roofs in nutrient sensitive receiving watersheds should consider a treatment train. Initial hypotheses regarding substrate organic matter characteristics to minimise contaminant leaching are suggested (e.g. carbon:...
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A rehabilitation score card has been developed to assess the efficacy of terrestrial rehabilitation for mine sites. This tool is informed by a review of NZ rehabilitation outcomes and of international mine rehabilitation at closure and... more
A rehabilitation score card has been developed to assess the efficacy of terrestrial rehabilitation for mine sites. This tool is informed by a review of NZ rehabilitation outcomes and of international mine rehabilitation at closure and restoration standards. The draft score card uses a spreadsheet format to assess the likelihood and magnitude of impacts on critical components of rehabilitation. This assessment generates two visual ‘traffic light’ outputs: a ‘raw’ ranking representing current conditions and a residual or ‘mitigated’ ranking based on application of specific management or controls. Red cells identify high risk and/or high negative impact outcomes, green cells indicate positive outcomes. The difference between ‘raw’ and ‘mitigated’ ranking can be used to help prioritise actions and monitoring. The draft score card has been applied to three contrasting rehabilitated areas at the closed Tui Mine, Te Aroha, Waikato and will be included in the CMER programme ‘Mine Environme...
Green roofs are being used as a stormwater management tool to mitigate the effects of altered urban hydrology by transforming roofs into pervious surfaces. Green roof performance is being quantified at the University of Auckland (NZ). Six... more
Green roofs are being used as a stormwater management tool to mitigate the effects of altered urban hydrology by transforming roofs into pervious surfaces. Green roof performance is being quantified at the University of Auckland (NZ). Six green roof plots were retrofitted over 235 m2 on a high-rise in Auckland's Central Business District. The plots have a substrate depth of 50 to 70 mm and a maximum weight of 117 kg/m2. Hydrology is analysed on an event basis with 63 events analysed in spring and summer (5 Sept 2008 to 21 Feb 2009). Rainfall events ranged from 0.2 mm to 59.0 mm with durations from 5 min to 3 days and a total rainfall depth of 374 mm. Events causing runoff were 1.4 mm and greater. Overall retention efficiencies of 71% and 73% have been achieved from 50 mm and 70 mm depth green roofs. Average peak flow reduction is 96% from both substrate depths. Monitoring is on-going.
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WORDS MAXIMUM) Talbot Park, a 5-hectare, medium-density Housing New Zealand Corporation (HNZC) development in Glen Innes, Auckland, has undergone a five-year community renewal project based on sustainable development practices and the... more
WORDS MAXIMUM) Talbot Park, a 5-hectare, medium-density Housing New Zealand Corporation (HNZC) development in Glen Innes, Auckland, has undergone a five-year community renewal project based on sustainable development practices and the improving of living conditions for residents through quality urban design and community strengthening. Low-impact urban design features integrated into the development include on-site stormwater management features designed to mitigate effects of increased imperviousness and contamination; rain tanks and permeable paving have been installed on some properties, while rain gardens within two new public roads also act as traffic calming devices and as landscaping. Site management increased infiltration over the baseline condition by protecting mature trees and using low-maintenance gardens around dwellings, beneath trees and along road frontages, replacing grass. Overland flow paths were protected by using plantings and building decks over the top to pass...
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New Zealand urban environments are currently dominated by exotic plant species. Restoring native vegetation and its associated native biodiversity in these landscapes is desirable for both cultural and ecological reasons. We report on the... more
New Zealand urban environments are currently dominated by exotic plant species. Restoring native vegetation and its associated native biodiversity in these landscapes is desirable for both cultural and ecological reasons. We report on the first four years of an ongoing vegetation restoration experiment in Waitakere City, Auckland, that addresses four challenges to urban restoration: weeds, Anthropic Soils, attraction of frugivorous birds, and patch isolation. Nine commonly planted native species, grouped separately into wind- and bird-dispersed species, were planted across four sites increasingly isolated from native bush patches, using two site preparation methods. By year three, woody weeds >50 cm tall had established with an average density of 1.7 plant m -2 across all sites. This was more than 17 times denser than all established wild native woody seedlings of any height. One of our establishment methods, sparse planting with mulch, resulted in higher native plant survival an...
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Stormwater360 New Zealand, in collaboration with Callaghan Innovation, undertook laboratory development of innovative engineered soil media for use with a rapid bio-filtration system. Bio-filtration systems typically use the media to... more
Stormwater360 New Zealand, in collaboration with Callaghan Innovation, undertook laboratory development of innovative engineered soil media for use with a rapid bio-filtration system. Bio-filtration systems typically use the media to control the hydraulic conductivity, corresponding contact time and performance. However variable compaction, sedimentation and plant growth effects mean hydraulic conductivity varies widely both spatially and over time. This study investigated media used in tandem with an external flow control to achieve consistent hydraulic conductivity and performance of 2500 mm/hr. The media developed in this project all have a hydraulic conductivity in excess of 2500 mm/hr. Hence the primary aim of this study was to develop engineered media using locally available materials that achieved effective contaminant removal under high hydraulic conductivity. This approach allows the size (and cost) of the bio-filtration device required for a given catchment area to be redu...
Executive Summary ...........................................................................................................................................................................2 Recommendations... more
Executive Summary ...........................................................................................................................................................................2 Recommendations ............................................................................................................................................................................3 Background .......................................................................................................................................................................................4 Our Findings ......................................................................................................................................................................................6 At a fine scale ....................................................................................................................................................................................9 Conclusions ................
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Ground-based harvest operations in planted forests can adversely affect the soil and subsequently the productivity of the plantation. This study examined the effects of compaction, site preparation, and fertilization on soil physical and... more
Ground-based harvest operations in planted forests can adversely affect the soil and subsequently the productivity of the plantation. This study examined the effects of compaction, site preparation, and fertilization on soil physical and chemical properties and tree growth in a trial established at a second-rotation harvest on an imperfectly drained clay loam located in the North Island, New Zealand. Treatments were installed following harvest of Pinus radiata D. Don. There were four physical treatments: no treatment, compaction in rows by skidder, site preparation (rip and disk), and compaction followed by site preparation; the three nutrient treatments included no fertilizer, nitrogen (N), and N plus phosphorus (P). Response of P. radiata was studied for the first 4 years of growth. Compaction reduced survival of P. radiata at planting and during the first year of growth as the result of an increased oxygen deficit, caused by a reduction in macropore volume, and a shallower depth to the perched water table. Site preparation improved both survival of the seedlings and growth over 4 years. There was an initial growth response to N, but fertilizer did not increase survival of the seedlings. After 4 years, both site preparation and N plus P treatments gave approximately 10% extra growth, suggesting that N plus P may have been as effective as site preparation for improved growth of the trees that survived the first 2 years. However, since survival of seedlings is important to the economics of plantations, especially where planting densities are low, site preparation of soils with low macropore volume should be considered as a management tool.
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Media used in rapid bio-filtration devices have hydraulic conductivity rates exceeding 2,500 mm/hr. Stormwater360 New Zealand has partnered with Contech Engineered Solutions (USA) to produce a rapid bio-filtration medium using locally... more
Media used in rapid bio-filtration devices have hydraulic conductivity rates exceeding 2,500 mm/hr. Stormwater360 New Zealand has partnered with Contech Engineered Solutions (USA) to produce a rapid bio-filtration medium using locally available materials. Current bio-filtration guidance limits the hydraulic conductivity of media to less than 300 mm/hr to support plant growth. Using a short-term plant trial (3 months) and 4 ongoing plant trials (>11 months) plant growth was assessed. In total 99 plants were grown (26 different tree, shrub and grass species), of which 91 plants (92%) and 23 plant species (88%) successfully established and grew in the rapid filtration medium.
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Extensive greenroofs are lightweight, cover the majority of a roof, and are not usually designed to be walked on excpet during amintenance. Th eir lightness (75 to 150 kg/m 2 saturated mass) comes from a combination of a shallow (50 to... more
Extensive greenroofs are lightweight, cover the majority of a roof, and are not usually designed to be walked on excpet during amintenance. Th eir lightness (75 to 150 kg/m 2 saturated mass) comes from a combination of a shallow (50 to 150 mm) and low density substrate - they have dry weights of 0.5 to 0.8 T/m 3 compared with
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ABSTRACT: This paper analyses the habitat opportunities provided by the new landscapes of living roofs in the New Zealand (NZ) context. The paper identifies vegetative design considerations for future potentials in urban biodiversity... more
ABSTRACT: This paper analyses the habitat opportunities provided by the new landscapes of living roofs in the New Zealand (NZ) context. The paper identifies vegetative design considerations for future potentials in urban biodiversity enhancement.
... Robyn Simcock, Graham Ussher, Cris deGroot, Martin Boult, Richard Toft Unitec Institute of Technology/Landcare Research Ltd/Tonkin & Taylor Ltd Abstract Living roofs offer an opportunity to bring conservation into a... more
... Robyn Simcock, Graham Ussher, Cris deGroot, Martin Boult, Richard Toft Unitec Institute of Technology/Landcare Research Ltd/Tonkin & Taylor Ltd Abstract Living roofs offer an opportunity to bring conservation into a contemporary context integrated within urban landscapes. ...
Research Interests: Biodiversity and Habitat
Direct transfer, or community translocation, is the salvage and replacement of intact 'sods' of vegetation together with underlying soil. An equivalent technique to 'instant lawn or tree garden', commonly used in urban... more
Direct transfer, or community translocation, is the salvage and replacement of intact 'sods' of vegetation together with underlying soil. An equivalent technique to 'instant lawn or tree garden', commonly used in urban landscaping, it has been applied to restoration of native grasslands, wetlands, scrub lands, and forest at New Zealand mine sites. Two to six m2 scoops of vegetation, with up to 0.7 m of soil attached, and including root plates of trees and shrubs, are relocated from stripped areas ahead of mining to sites prepared for restoration. Direct transfer uses hydraulic excavators or face shovels and dump trucks, sometimes with the aid of bulldozers and other earthmoving machinery. The main advantages of direct transfer, compared with sowing or planting systems for mine site restoration, are the recycling of plant and soil materials, that were previously often wasted by burying under overburden materials, a significantly faster revegetation process, restor...